Let’s continue our deep dive into Psalm 46 through inductive Bible study. If you’d like to start at the beginning of this Psalm 46 series, you can read Bible Meditation on Psalm 46: Preparing for Inductive Bible Study.
Before we go any further, go ahead and (re)read Psalm 46 prayerfully. That will prepare you to dive in deeper.
At this point in our study, we are looking at different structural relationships in Psalm 46. Structural relationships show us different ways biblical authors shaped their writing to emphasize points and make connections.
Looking for the major structural relationships in a Bible passage can help us understand the key messages the author is highlighting.
In the previous lessons of this series, we’ve looked at several structural relationships found in Psalm 46. You can review those Psalm 46 structures here:
Psalm 46 has two major structural relationships we haven’t looked at yet. Today, we will explore Causation.
Cause and Effect in Psalm 46
Causation means a cause produces an effect. In a Bible passage with a Causation structure, we can see that one idea (a cause) leads to certain results (effects).
In Psalm 46:1, we see how God is characterized as a refuge. Our understanding of God as a refuge—and the fact that He is our refuge—is a cause that produces effects. Those effects are detailed throughout the Psalm.
Let’s look at how Psalm 46 shows the effects of God as our refuge:
- In verse 2, we see how God as a refuge causes people not to fear in the midst of upheaval.
- Because God is a refuge, therefore God’s city is characterized with peace, and the earth responds to His voice, even in the midst of the raging nations (verses 4-7).
- Because God is a refuge, He has power not only to end wars, but even to destroy the instruments of war (verse 9).
- Even the command of verse 10 to “be still, and know that I am God” is possible because God is a refuge.
You can see why the psalm is written with a focus on Causation. When we understand how God, as our refuge, causes important results, we draw comfort, strength, hope, and encouragement from Him.
Bookends for Emphasis
Sometimes a biblical author has combined structural relationships for further emphasis, and we can note how those overlap. Woven into the Causation structure of Psalm 46, we also see another type of structural relationship called an Inclusio. An Inclusio is like bookends, where a concept is repeated at the beginning and end of a section for emphasis.
In the Causation structure of Psalm 46, the Inclusio is at the beginning, end, and middle: verses 1, 7, 11. The wording is different in verses 7 and 11 but with a similar meaning.
Verse 1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Verse 7: “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Verse 11: “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
(Those verses are quoted from the NIV translation.)
Those bookends (Inclusio) remind us that God, as our refuge, is the cause of all the good effects written in this psalm. No matter what is going on around us, personally or in the world, we need to focus on that very big truth: God is our refuge. That understanding brings us a very deep peace.
Lord, thank You for being our refuge. Help us draw strength, comfort, and wisdom from You as we navigate the ups and downs of life. Help us stay centered in You, our steady fortress. Help us breathe in Your deep peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen
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